Fielding at the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2024 Convention in Seattle, Washington

Fielding students, faculty, and staff participated in the 2024 American Psychological Association (APA) Convention from Aug. 8-10 in Seattle, Washington. Some Fielding community members included students Mona Chung, Nathan L. Smith, Shania Greenwood, and Tahlia Bragg, along with Clinical Psychology faculty member Dr. Anthony “AGee” Greene.

On Aug. 9, Nathan L. Smith, a current doctoral Clinical Psychology student, and Dr. Greene facilitated a symposium titled Creating Resiliency in the Face of Adversity: Black Men and Violence Exposure to more than 45+ attendees.

“I am still overjoyed following my first American Psychological Association Convention presentation for Division 51 Men and Masculinities on Black Men and Violence Exposure, Nathan said. “We discussed the prevalence of community and sexual violence against Black men in the U.S., positive Black male mental health, and strategies for promoting and recognizing resiliency. I am grateful for my colleagues’ amazing attendance and interest in these critical topics. A special thank you to my brilliant co-presenter, mentor, and role model, Dr. Anthony Greene!”

Symposium Abstract

Community and sexual violence disproportionately impact thousands of Black men in the United States each year. Homicide is the leading cause of death for Black men aged 20 to 44, surpassing risks like drug overdoses, suicide, and COVID-19. Black men are also twice as likely as White men to need life-saving measures for gunshot wounds. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), one in ten rape victims in the U.S. is male, yet the exposure of Black men to sexual violence is often underreported. Consequently, Black men face heightened risks of significant mental health challenges, including depression and trauma-related disorders.

Despite this, the experience of violence among Black men is underrepresented in psychology literature and clinical practices. Key questions remain: How do Black men cope with ongoing violence-related trauma when seeking safety can be dangerous? How can mental health professionals offer culturally sensitive treatment for Black men exposed to violence?

This symposium examined the prevalence of community and sexual violence against Black men through theoretical perspectives (e.g., social-ecological model, positive psychology, positive masculinity paradigm) and the historical context of critical race theory. The discussion focused on how expressions of masculinity can both complicate and foster resiliency among Black men. The session included interactive elements and videos to engage participants in critically examining the impact of violence on Black men. The primary goal was to highlight the psychosocial and mental health effects of violence on Black men and discuss essential considerations for enhancing mental health professionals’ understanding and treatment practices.

Other presenters included Media Psychology faculty and Division 46 – Society for Media Psychology and Technology members Dr. Karen Shackleford and Dr. Sean Thoennes.

Dr. Shackleford’s presentation was titled Audience Effects: Conceptual and Operational Definitions in Parasocial and Identification Research and Issues of Identifications as Revealed by a Comprehensive Literature Review and Factor-Analytic Study.

Dr. Thoennes’ presentation, part of the August 8 lineup, was titled Bridging the Gap between AI Anxiety and Comfort.